136 THE FERN PARADISE. 



two or three inches in length, and often assuming 

 a yellowish colour from constant exposure. But 

 the favourite haunts of the Hartstongue are the 

 depths of cool woods ; the tops of hedge-banks, 

 where clustering foliage shuts out the sun and 

 keeps in the moisture ; damp hedge-sides, where 

 perchance an eternal moisture is produced by 

 percolating water ; and the moist and dripping 

 sides of wells. In such places its shining fronds 

 grow to their finest dimensions. In the damp 

 and shady clefts of rocks, too, the Hartstongue 

 loves to grow. Clothing cavern walls and drop- 

 ping from cavern roofs, it may also be seen in great 

 abundance. Oftentimes splendid specimens of this 

 simple and beautiful fern may be seen on the 

 moist sides of parapet-walls, that overhang some 

 brook or river; and in such situations it bends 

 its green and shining tops downwards, until they 

 kiss the sparkling, eddying current below them. 

 There they revel in the spray and vapour which 

 surround them, waving their lovely tufts in the 

 wind. 



The Hartstongue becomes a delightful occupant 



